The Doubts Thomas Experienced

TO BELIEVE

TODAY’S READING: JOHN 20:24–31

“Loch Ness Monster Caught on Camera” exclaimed the headline, reporting how the webcam of a “Monster Spotter” had picked up a “very large dark shape” swimming across Loch Ness. It was big enough to be considered the year’s fifth official “sighting” of Nessie. But as a commentator noted, considering the low quality of the footage, “I want this to be Nessie, but I reckon it’s natural phenomena.”

I wonder if Thomas had his own “I want this, but I reckon” moment when the disciples reported, “We have seen the Lord!” (JOHN 20:25). Despite Jesus’ empty tomb, Thomas needed evidence, saying emphatically: “I will not believe” (V. 25). Thomas wasn’t unreasonable in doubting Jesus’ resurrection. After all, his friends’ story probably sounded just as fanciful to him as a monster in a Scottish loch would to us. But then Jesus showed up. Understanding Thomas’ doubts, Jesus wanted to deepen his faith in Him and to strengthen their relationship (V. 27).

We may have our own “I want this, but I reckon” questions about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection—or even of His love for us. We can trust that just as Jesus turned up for Thomas, He’ll reveal Himself to us too. As we dwell in the Scriptures, our faith will be strengthened so “that [we] may believe” (V. 31). Then we will gain the confidence to respond: “My Lord and my God” (V. 28). o

THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD.

JOHN 20:31

CHRIS WALE

Do you feel guilty when you have doubts or do you feel free to take them to Jesus? How does Jesus’ reaction to Thomas reassure you?

Lord God, thank You for knowing and understanding my doubts and questions. Where my faith feels small and weak, strengthen me with Your presence and the truth of Your Word.

SCAR STORIES

TODAY’S READING: JOHN 20:24–29

The butterfly flitted in and out of my mother’s panda-faced pansies. As I child, I longed to catch it. I raced from our back garden into our kitchen and grabbed a glass jar, but on my hasty return, I tripped and hit the concrete patio hard. The jar smashed under my wrist and left an ugly slash that would require eighteen stitches to close. Today the scar crawls like a caterpillar across my wrist, telling the story of both wounding and healing.

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His death, He brought His scars. John reports Thomas wanting to see “the nail marks in his hands” and Jesus inviting Thomas to “put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side” (JOHN 20:25, 27). In order to demonstrate He was the same Jesus, He rose from the dead with the scars of His suffering still visible.

The scars of Jesus prove Him to be the Saviour and tell the story of our salvation. The pierce marks through His hands and feet and the hollow in His side reveal a story of pain inflicted, endured and then healed—for us. He did it so that we might be restored to Him and made whole.

Have you ever considered the story told by Christ’s scars? o ELISA MORGAN

SEE MY HANDS. REACH OUT YOUR HAND AND PUT IT INTO MY SIDE. STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE.

JOHN 20:27

How do the Saviour’s scars promise healing for the wounds we’ve endured? What wounds can you bring to Him today?

Oh Jesus, how I love the story Your scars tell me—and to our world. May I learn to love You more and more through the story of Your scars.